§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will estimate the effect on pay of a 1 per cent. change in the level of employment in industries covered by wages councils; and if she will estimate the effect on levels of employment of a 10 per cent. change in the level of pay in wages councils industries.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe relationship between pay and employment is determined by a large number of factors and it is not possible to make precise estimates for individual industries. However, the evidence clearly suggests that, whatever the industry, uneconomic pay increases have a significant and damaging effect on employment.